Page 132 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

COVID-19 Impact on

Rural Livelihoods:

Tanzania Opinion Piece

Tanzania Government has taken several measures in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic including
adopting measures advocated by WHO. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Tanzania did not
impose lockdowns but advocated for social distancing, hand washing using soap and wearing
of masks. Activities which attracted big crowds such as sports and all types of celebrations were
banned. Schools and colleges were closed and citizens were warned not to undertake unnecessary
travel. All flights to and out of Tanzania were suspended and cross-border movements to
neighboring countries restricted to trucks carrying essential cargo only. All these measures had a
big social-economic impact on the people.

The government through the Minister of Health was to lessen the restrictions and allowed social activities to
giving weekly updates on the spread of the virus in the continue, opened all schools, colleges and universities as
country including the number of infections, recoveries, well as allowing international flights to Tanzania.
and deaths. However, since the beginning of June, they
have stopped the updating and people have been advised The government of Tanzania has developed Standard
to believe the COVID-19 to be like any other disease and Operating Procedures (SOP) for each sector including
they should learn how to live with it. tourism, airlines, hospitals, schools, universities, and public
places to ensure that its citizen and other people visiting
As from June, the government having satisfied itself that the country are secure from COVID-19. In offices, schools,
the COVID-19 cases have come down and more so on churches, universities, supermarkets, hotels, tourist
the impact of the pandemic to the economy, decided attraction areas, and other areas in which many people

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